Work has begun to create a play area in Manningham to provide exciting new recreation and activity space for the community.

Stone climbing boulders, swings, slides, monkey bars and climbing nets all form part of Bradford Council’s Manningham Masterplan Grosvenor Ground scheme on Lumb Lane. The site used to be occupied by the Grosvenor Community Centre and has been out of use for the past 10 years.

The play area’s eye-catching design was drawn up following input from residents young and old, as well as community organisations, during consultation exercises last year. Children from local primary schools visited other natural play areas in the district– which feature landscaping, trees and rocks as part of the process.

The £110,000 project was initiated by the Grosvenor Ground Committee and managed by Manningham Masterplan which is helping to regenerate the area.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: “The residents in Manningham wanted a safe and secure place where young people could play and residents could relax and enjoy an area of greenspace. Grosvenor Ground will deliver exactly that.

“It’s great to see the construction work get underway and I’m confident local people will be delighted with the finished product. This forms part of a wider plan to help rejuvenate Manningham and will be another welcome addition to a community with few play facilities.”

Coun Shabir Hussain, ward councillor on the Manningham Masterplan Board, said: "We are pleased to see this long-awaited project come to fruition.

"The new play area will bring multiple benefits to the area - a place where children and young people can go and play within a short walking distance of their homes, a place where parents know it is safe.

"It will also enhance an area of green space on Lumb Lane. The community have a great sense of ownership in the project."

Grosvenor Ground Committee is made up of residents who grew up in the area and used to play on the disused site. Committee member Sajid Ali said: “We are really excited to see the ideas and comments from the consultations turning into a safe play area for local residents and children to enjoy.”

The landscape of Grosvenor Ground is based around a series of mounds and hollows and features equipment for disabled and non-disabled young people.

It is due to be completed in October and is one of 22 new play areas being funded by the Bradford Playbuilder scheme and supported by the Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) and Ward Investment Fund.

The Manningham Masterplan team and local residents will continue to seek funds from grant bodies and local businesses to develop remaining areas of the Lumb Lane site to provide sports pitches, an events area and community garden.